Get Involved

Want to help support the Vancouver Public Library? There are several ways you can get involved:

Become a Friends of the VPL member

Become a member by visiting book’mark or by joining online!

Friends of the VPL Members receive for their $5 donation:

  • A discount at book’mark, The Library Store
  • Access to exclusive members-only events
  • An e-newsletter, a quarterly update of all things Friends
  • Access to volunteering opportunities
  • Exclusive partner offers and discounts, coming Fall 2021
  • Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting
  • The satisfaction of supporting the VPL!

Lifetime Members of Friends will receive all of the benefits above for a $500 donation and:

  • Acknowledgment in our newsletter
  • Recognition on our website and at book’mark
  • A charitable donation receipt

Join online to become a member or support Friends further by becoming a lifetime member. We are excited to welcome you as a Friend!

For more information about becoming a lifetime member, please contact our general manager at 604-331-4040 or friends@friendsoftheVPL.ca

Volunteer

We love volunteers! Our volunteers are a wonderful group of people with diverse backgrounds, who all share a common love of libraries and reading. Volunteers with Friends of VPL help with our many fundraising activities and with the running of the Society. Although volunteers do not work in the Library, they contribute to the programs, collections, and activities of the VPL.

If you are a Friend of the Vancouver Public Library already (see above for more info), we invite you to apply to be a volunteer. Just apply once letting us know your preferences and we will contact you when there is an opportunity. Please note that it may take a while for spots to open, but we will get in touch as soon as we have a position for you.

You need to be a Friend (i.e., a member) to volunteer, so please join us before applying to volunteer!  Volunteers must also be 18 years or older.

***Application Form Currently closed****

Volunteer Application

 

Recruiting

Friends often recruits for the positions below. Please learn more about the positions and follow the instructions to apply.

Work in book’mark The Library Store

book’mark is a retail business at Central Branch, with profits going to support the Vancouver Public Library.

Position Description:

  • Commit to a minimum of six months and at least one 4 hour shift per week.
  • Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of other languages is an asset.
  • Previous retail or customer service experience is preferred.
  • Primary responsibilities:
  • Greet and assist customers
  • Knowledgeable about store merchandise
  • Complete cash or charge sales transactions
  • Assist with pricing and merchandising of new products

If you enjoy the challenges of a retail environment and love people contact please come into our store and fill out our membership and volunteer application form. Please include a current resume. Potential candidates will be interviewed when there are openings. Contact friends@friendsoftheVPL.ca for more information.

Help us run our used book sales

Friends of the VPL runs three Used Book Sales a year, usually in May, September and December. The sales are three days long, and require approximately 50 volunteers for each sale.

Position Description:

  • This is very physical work! Some heavy lifting required
  • Help with set up and pack up – unpacking books for sale and repacking unsold books
  • Assisting buyers and tidying tables on the sale floor
  • Cashiering, cash handling at point of sale

3-hour shifts. This work is a high-energy, great fun way to interact with Friends, patrons and the public! It would suit people interested in occasional volunteer opportunities.

Book sorting for the used book sales

In preparation for our Used Book Sales, Friends accepts used book donations year-round. Donated books are pre-sorted into subject areas, priced and repacked. This work is done in the Friends office at Central Branch.

Position Description:

  • Sorting books into broad sale/subject categories
  • Heavy lifting may be required, and volunteers should be able to stand for most of the time they are in the office or hallway, and not be allergic to dust!
  • Special knowledge: some volunteers with understanding of French, European and Asian languages would be appreciated
  • Shifts are usually once a week, during the daytime, Monday to Friday
Help us with social media

Social Media Coordinator:

Create and execute digital marketing strategies to inform, advertise, and attract public interest. Handle the organization’s social media accounts, where they monitor comments and interact with the social media community. This role is often shared, depending on interest.

Donate

Since its founding, Friends of the VPL has donated over $750,000 to the Vancouver Public Library. You can donate one-time or monthly. Please contact us to set up a monthly donation or donate here.

Funds from the Friends of the VPL support programs and initiatives such as:

  • Writer in Residence
  • Writing and Book Camp
  • Furniture, artwork, supplies and games for library branches

For the complete list of Friends funded initiatives check out last year’s report, Donations and Fundraising 2023.

Tell Your Friends!

If you love the Vancouver Public Library, tell your friends about it! Share your VPL stories and experiences, and encourage others to use and support the library, and the support the work of Friends of the VPL by becoming a member, donating, or shopping at book’mark and our quarterly used book sales.